Board of Directors
Ronald M. Shaich
Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board
Ron Shaich is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Panera Bread Company, where he previously served for over 25 years as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Shaich began his career in the bakery-cafe industry in 1981, when he opened a small cookie store in downtown Boston. Shortly thereafter, he combined his cookie store operations with a local bakery to co-found Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. In 1993, Shaich led Au Bon Pain’s purchase of a 19-location bakery-cafe concept called Saint Louis Bread Company, which would become Panera Bread. Today, the Company operates or franchises over 1,450 locations in 40 states and Ontario, Canada. System-wide sales in 2010 exceeded $3 billion.
Under Shaich’s leadership, Panera has been the singularly best performing restaurant stock when measured over the last decade and the second best performing consumer stock on the S&P consumer index when measured over that same decade. Today, Panera is the 6th largest publicly traded U.S. restaurant company.
In his many years as CEO, Shaich received widespread recognition for his leadership. He was awarded the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association’s Gold Plate Award for being the outstanding leader in the food service industry. As well, Shaich frequently represents Panera Bread on CNBC, Bloomberg and Fox News. The Company and Shaich have been featured in Fortune, Forbes, Inc., The Economist, TIME, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and several books.
Shaich also serves as President of the Panera Bread Foundation and recently spearheaded the Panera Cares initiative, through which the Foundation created nonprofit community cafes aimed at addressing issues related to food insecurity. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation and on the Board of the Rashi School. Shaich formerly served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Clark University and is a former Treasurer of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
Shaich received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Clark University in 1976 and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1978. He resides in Brookline, MA with his wife, Nancy, and children, Michael and Emma.
William W. Moreton
Chief Executive Officer and President
William “Bill” Moreton was named Chief Executive Officer and President of Panera Bread and to the Board of Directors in May 2010, succeeding the company’s co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ron Shaich. Moreton rejoined the company in October 2008 as Executive Vice President & Co-Chief Operating Officer.
Prior to joining Panera, Moreton served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Potbelly Sandwich Works. He also previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Wendy’s International, Inc. subsidiary Baja Fresh. Prior to his responsibilities with Baja Fresh, Moreton was Executive Vice President, Subsidiary Brand Management for Wendy’s, where he assisted with strategy and growth of developing brands. Moreton also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Quality Dining, Inc.
From 1998 to 2003, Moreton served as Panera Bread’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer.
Prior to entering the restaurant industry, Moreton spent a decade in banking, accounting and financial consulting with Credit Agricole and Arthur Andersen & Co.
Moreton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from DePaul University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Domenic Colasacco
Lead Independent Director since March 2008, Director since March 2000
Mr. Colasacco is President and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Trust & Investment Management, a trust company formed under Massachusetts state law. He joined Boston Trust in 1974 after beginning his career in the research division of Merrill Lynch & Co., in New York City.
Mr. Colasacco earned his Bachelor's degree and Masters of Business Administration degree from Babson College.
Fred Foulkes
Director since June 2003
Professor Foulkes is a Professor of Organizational Behavior and the Director of the Human Resources Policy Institute at Boston University School of Management and has taught courses in human resource management and strategic management at Boston University since 1980.
From 1968 to 1980, Professor Foulkes was a member of the Harvard Business School faculty. Dr. Foulkes serves on the board of directors of Bright Horizons Family Solutions, the Society for Human Resource Management and the National Academy of Human Resources.
Dr. Foulkes earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and Masters of Business Administration and Doctor of Business Administration degrees from Harvard University.
Larry Franklin
Director since June 2001
Mr. Franklin is President and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Sports, Inc., a leading sports equipment company. Mr. Franklin joined Franklin Sports, Inc. in 1970 and served as its Executive Vice President from 1981 to 1986, when he took over his current post.
Mr. Franklin currently serves on the Board of Directors of Bradford Soap International, Inc., The Sporting Goods Manufacturer's Association, The Retail Industry Leadership Association, and the New England chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Mr. Franklin earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Thomas E. Lynch
Director since March 2010
Mr. Lynch is the Senior Managing Director of Mill Road Capital, a private equity firm which focuses on investments in high quality, publicly traded companies. From 2000 until December 2004, Mr. Lynch served as a Senior Managing Director of Mill Road Associates, a financial advisory firm that he founded in 2000. Previously, he served as the Founder and Managing Director of Lazard Capital Partners and held positions at the Blackstone Group and the Monitor Company. Mr. Lynch previously served as a member of our Board from June 2003 until December 2006.
Mr. Lynch earned his Bachelor’s degree with honors from Williams College, a Master of Philosophy degree from Oxford University and Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University.
George Kane
Emeritus Director since May 2004
George E. Kane became Emeritus Director in May 2004 and had served as a Director since November 1988. Mr. Kane was also one of our Directors from December 1981 to December 1985 and a Director Emeritus from December 1985 to November 1988.
Mr. Kane retired in 1970 as President of Garden City Trust Company (now University Trust Company) and served as Honorary Director of University Trust Company from December 1985 to January 2000.